Knowlarity Buys Sunoray for AI, SMB Customers

Knowlarity Communications Pvt has bought Sunoray Solutions. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The deal gives Knowlarity access to the Mumbai-based company’s artificial intelligence and machine learning products. It also expands the Singapore-based cloud telephony service provider customer base, adding Sunoray’s small and medium customers.

“An AI revolution is underway right now, but I believe it needs to be complemented with a design revolution,” said Jim Guszcza, chief data scientist at Deloitte Consulting LLP, as quoted in a Wall Street Journal piece. “We don’t want to ascribe to AI algorithms more intelligence than is really there. They may be smarter than humans at certain tasks, but more generally we need to make sure algorithms are designed to help us, not do an end run around our common sense.”

IDC estimates that by 2019, 40 percent of digital transformation initiatives will use AI services. It adds that by 2021, 75 percent of enterprise applications will use AI.

Gartner in April released a new report saying that global business value derived from artificial intelligence is projected to total $1.2 trillion in 2018, an increase of 70 percent from 2017. AI-derived business value is forecast to reach $3.9 trillion in 2022. And an Accenture survey projects 85 percent of business executives plan to invest in AI over the next three years with most of the investments focused on revenue-critical business processes.

“From predictions, recommendations, and advice to automated customer service agents and intelligent process automation, AI is changing the face of how we interact with computer systems,” IDC says.

Gupta and Pallav Pandey created Knowlarity in 2009. It provides cloud-based communications solutions including calling, conferencing, fax, and receptionist offerings.

Rahul Arora and Sumontro Roy established Sunoray Solutions four years ago. The company sells cloud telephony and CRM solutions.

Edited by Maurice Nagle